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In a season that is optimistically looking at a Pac-12 championship, ASU keeps losing key players.
2011 is supposed to be an exciting year for ASU Football. It has a preseason rank of 23. It is considered a favorite to compete for the first Pac-12 championship. However, the offseason has been fraught with obstacles. The latest loss is that of defensive end James Brooks, who has decided to leave the football team.
Brooks had a couple of highlight plays in the Sun Devils' last game, blocking two extra points against rival Arizona. However, Brooks time at ASU has been rocky. Two seasons ago, he was suspended for three games. He left the team for a bit in 2010 for personal reasons but returned before the regular season began. He also missed time this spring to tend to academic issues he was having.
This decision is reportedly final, but he will remain at the school to finish his degree and will remain on scholarship.
The loss, as mentioned, is one of many unexpected hurdles this offseason. 2010 starting QB Steven Threet retired due to lingering effects of a concussion. Running back Deantre Lewis was shot in the leg in a random shooting. Cornerback Omar Bolden and receiver T.J. Simpson suffered knee injuries. Former Sun Devil Kerry Taylor came out in a TV interview claiming Dennis Erickson is not the right man to take the Sun Devils to the next level.
Luckily for the Devils, the team has good talent still at defensive end in Junior Onyeali and other young players expected to contribute, but Brooks will be missed in 2011.
ASU Football: Omar Bolden, TJ Simpson Out With Torn ACL's
This is not the news ASU football fans were hoping for.
After cornerback Omar Bolden and wide receiver T.J. Simpson were both seriously injured in practices last week, fans were praying that the athletes did not tear their ACL's. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened to the talented seniors.
Coach Dennis Erickson confirmed this news after practice on Tuesday evening. Erickson made it clear that they are having surgery next week, and in the meantime have been in rehab trying to strengthen their knees.
With the loss of these two players for the entire 2011 season being a very real possibility, who is going to step in and take over at these skill positions?
The wide receiving corps at ASU is fairly strong, with players such as Gerrell Robinson, Mike Willie, Aaron Pflugrad, Kyle Middlebrooks, and George Bell all capable of contributing on next season's team. Cornerback is a position that is of more concern at this time.
Deveron Carr is now the most experienced of the remaining cornerbacks, and he will play alongside one of the following players: Osahon Irabor, Devan Spann, Joe Eason (true freshman), and Alden Darby.
Darby played in all 12 games last season as a true freshman, and Irabor played well in 2010, especially when he made four tackles against Arizona during the Territorial Cup victory.
Regardless of who replaces these players, the loss of Omar Bolden is a serious blow to the Pac-12 Championship aspirations of this experienced Sun Devils team.
For more ASU football coverage, check out House Of Sparky.
Jul 13 4:42p by Cory Williams